Sachin Tendulkar became a mentor to the young Prithvi Shaw
Prithvi Shaw had a spectacular test debut as India’s second youngest test centurion until an ankle fracture and a failed drug check held him out for 16 months. Sachin Tendulkar has been a great sportsman all his life, so it was hardly shocking when he became a guide to the young Prithvi Shaw, helping him cope with life on 22 yards and off during a tough patch. Some administrative problems have also been addressed quite often in Indian cricket circles for some time now. It was at this stage that Tendulkar came into the picture and mentored Shaw as he explored a very uncertain phase of life during which new professions could go southbound.
Tendulkar told PTI during an interview that he had several interactions with Prithvi for the past few years. He thinks that he is a very talented player and willing to help him. They spoke about cricket and also life beyond the cricket field. Tendulkar was not confident, however, when questioned precisely what had been explored in his various sessions with Shaw. He believes that if a younger sportsman approached and was looking for guidance there should be an aspect of secrecy at least from his point of view. But Shaw, lately, was very emotional regarding the feedback he received from senior Mumbaikar.
Tendulkar said that he had always been open to the advice of young people who should ask him out personally. And there are a variety of people for whom, aside from Shaw, he talks to a one-on-one basis. The iconic batsman also added that he has spoken and guided a lot of young sportsmen individually. He has maintained that and if anyone seeks for his help, he will be open to it. Not just Shaw, but India’s captain Virat Kohli has tried Tendulkar’s advice as recently as the Pink Ball Test Match against Bangladesh in November 2019. Kohli said he made an interesting point when he spoke with him and with the pink ball, you have to treat the 2nd session like the 1st session when it became darker and the ball started to swing and seam. So the first session you will inevitably play as you play from lunch to tea in a standard time trial game, so the second session will be like a morning session, and the third session will be like the evening session he then added.
